KAU Shortlisted in Two Categories for the Times Higher Education Awards Arab World 2026 Co

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) has been shortlisted in two categories of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Arab World 2026, reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing teaching and learning while leveraging digital innovation and data-driven solutions to strengthen institutional performance and support informed decision-making.

KAU earned places on the shortlist in the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year and Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year categories. The competition attracted more than 400 entries across 10 award categories, with the final shortlist comprising 80 entries from 36 higher education institutions representing 13 Arab countries and territories.

In the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year category, KAU was recognized for its initiative, “AI Education for Non-Specialists: A National Model for Inclusive AI Literacy.” The initiative provides practical artificial intelligence education to all university students, including those outside technical disciplines, through accredited courses designed for learners with no prior programming experience.

The initiative is led by Dr. Iyad Katib, Dr. Fahad Al-Qurashi, and Dr. Nouf Al-Ghanmi, whose efforts are expanding AI literacy across academic disciplines and integrating artificial intelligence into the student learning experience, helping equip graduates with the skills needed to navigate emerging technologies and the evolving demands of the future workforce.

KAU was also shortlisted in the Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year category for its “University Enrollment Planning Platform: An Integrated System for Admission Decision Support, Capacity Planning, and Workforce Planning at King Abdulaziz University.” The initiative transforms admissions planning from fragmented spreadsheets and manual workflows into a unified internal platform that connects enrollment targets with admissions, graduation projections, institutional capacity, and teaching and supervisory resources.

The project team includes Dr. Ala’a Omar Kadidos, Dr. Fatimah Omar Kamel, Dr. Mohammed Reda Kabli, Dr. Jamaan Salem Alghamdi, the Data Team at the Deanship of Admission and Registration, and Mr. Ali Hassan Sharif. Working collaboratively, the team has developed a data-driven solution that strengthens institutional planning and supports more effective decision-making.

The selection of both initiatives among the finalists highlights KAU’s integrated approach to advancing its educational and digital ecosystem through innovative, data-driven institutional solutions. These efforts enhance planning efficiency, optimize resource utilization, and contribute to the continuous improvement of academic and administrative outcomes.

The winners of the Times Higher Education Awards Arab World 2026 will be announced during the THE Arab Universities Summit, which will be held in Morocco in November 2026.